House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2021, with 42% of the vote.
Small Business June 9th, 2023
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the question from the Bloc Québécois member because it underscores the importance of small businesses here in Canada.
We have always been there to help and support SMEs. We lowered taxes from 11% to 9%. The opposition voted against that measure.
We were there to provide support during the pandemic with the loans the member across the way mentioned.
What we just did with the budget is lower credit card transaction fees for SMEs. Again, the opposition voted against that.
Finance June 8th, 2023
Mr. Speaker, what I appreciated about the question from the member opposite is that he is concerned about the welfare of Canadians. On that, we share commonality.
However, we would link the welfare of Canadians to the small businesses that really run our economy. Each time we on this side of the House have put forward policies, proposals or directives that would assist those small businesses, the party opposite has voted against them, whether it was lowering taxes for small businesses or whether it is CEBA supports and rent subsidies that we put in place to assist our small businesses.
Now, before this very chamber, we have support in place that would reduce credit card fees for small businesses from 27% to much lower than what they are right now, and that is being opposed by the party opposite.
Pathways to Parliament June 7th, 2023
Mr. Speaker, today in Ottawa, we welcome a group of kids from Parkdale Junior and Senior Public School in my riding of Parkdale—High Park. They have come here as part of a program I started prior to COVID called “Pathways to Parliament”.
The idea is to bring a set of diverse young people to Ottawa, kids who are newcomers and whose circumstances mean that they might not otherwise have the opportunity to visit these hallowed halls. The idea is to expose these young people to government, to our Parliament and to various parliamentarians. The hope is that they might learn, that they might be impressed or even inspired by seeing that Canada's Parliament in 2023 looks just like they do. It is a diverse assemblage of people of different races, backgrounds, cultures and religions.
I want to thank their teachers, Hassan and Sandra, as well as Principal Diane Brown, for committing to this important initiative. To these 10 youngsters, I say Shukran, Tuchi che and thanks. I thank them for being here, but, most of all, I thank them for seeing themselves here.
Public Safety June 6th, 2023
Mr. Speaker, I thank the member opposite for her advocacy for the Muslim community in London, Ontario. The issue of Islamophobia is one that affects Muslims around this country and, indeed, around the world. It is an issue we must all continue to work vigilantly on.
What I find very concerning is that today, a day when we are debating the budget, that very budget includes dedicated funds of over $50 million toward combatting racism and Islamophobia. Those are the types of initiatives all members of the House need to get behind.
Budget Implementation Act, 2023, No. 1 June 5th, 2023
Madam Speaker, I want to point out a few factual clarifications of things that have been said by a number of Conservative members.
Canada currently has the lowest deficit in the G7. Canada has the lowest debt-to-GDP ratio in the G7. Canada still maintains its AAA credit rating. These things are factual.
What is also factual is that the member is from Alberta, which is going through a very difficult time right now. I feel for the people whom he represents in terms of the wildfires we are seeing. Those severe and acute weather events are related to climate action.
I would put to the member that now is not the time to make polluting free. Does he agree?
Budget Implementation Act, 2023, No. 1 June 5th, 2023
Madam Speaker, the member opposite started her speech by acknowledging what just transpired with the provincial election in Alberta. I want to turn to that for a moment. She acknowledged some landmarks being achieved in terms of the first female, Black member of the provincial legislature in Alberta, which I believe is something she mentioned. That is worth applauding.
I wanted to draw her attention to aspects of the budget. She outlined a lot of what is in the budget. There is a lot in there. Specifically, there are references to funding and supports to deal with some of the challenging divisions that we continue to see in Canadian society. The budget includes $25 million for supporting Black Canadian communities initiative, which is about empowering Black organizations. Another $25 million will go to supporting the anti-racism strategy and dealing with some of the pernicious issues that relate to anti-indigenous racism, anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.
In the wake of the almost two-year anniversary of the Afzaal family being killed in London, Ontario, could she comment on the equity initiatives in the budget and her position on them?
Budget Implementation Act, 2023, No. 1 June 5th, 2023
Madam Speaker, what I was saying is that the funding agreement with respect to health care is about $190 billion over the next 10 years. It is approximately $46 billion of new funding. One of the aspects of that funding includes certain conditional priorities, and one of those priorities is exactly what the member was referencing: access to timely, equitable and quality mental health, substance use and addiction services. I would just point that out, to flesh out the record in terms of the context of this debate.
The member's party is steadfastly committed to voting against this budget. This budget includes $158.4 million over three years to support the implementation and operation of a 988 number that would be a suicide hotline in this country, which would serve the mental health needs of Canadians. Does the member seek to revise his voting position in that regard?
Budget Implementation Act, 2023, No. 1 June 5th, 2023
Madam Speaker, what is important about what was outlined by the member opposite in his statement is that concerns about mental health are equally shared across all parties. However, what was not mentioned in the comments referenced by the member opposite is that part of what this budget includes is a formalization of an agreement that includes $190 billion in funding for health care and—
Business of Supply June 1st, 2023
Madam Speaker, what I find interesting in what my colleague across the aisle says is that, in his own province of Quebec, the federal tax on pollution does not apply. Quebec has its own carbon pricing. It is a system that works very well. I congratulate them.
However, what we have heard from the hon. member for Louis-Saint-Laurent raises several questions. The only thing that applies to the province of Quebec is the issue of affordability, which is a concern for all Canadians.
My question concerns affordability. When measures were proposed here in the House to offer dental care for children, subsidies during the pandemic or grocery rebates, the Conservatives always voted against them. In this context, does my colleague find that there is a contradiction in the way the Conservatives voted?
Parliamentary Soccer May 29th, 2023
Mr. Speaker, spring has returned and with it parliamentary soccer. Yes, indeed, the FC Commoners are back for another season of the beautiful game, with MPs from all parties taking the pitch against an assortment of foes.
Last week, we had our annual game against the pages. This was the first match since the COVID-19 pandemic hit. The pages were well prepared. Some of their players were in full uniform, and their pre-game warm-up was intimidating.
To boot, they brought a cheering squad and had chants, makeup and even signage. My favourite poster said, “GET YOUR OWN WATER!”.
A great time was had by all, including some post-game merriment over pizza and beverages, of course those suitable for minors. Though the final score favoured the aging squad of MPs, helped by some younger staffers, I admit, the big winners, as usual, were the pages. Their dedication on the pitch is only surpassed by their dedication to this chamber and all of us who serve in it.
Three cheers for the pages. Hip hip hooray!